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Indexing lock or what?

Joined
May 28, 2015
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Bainbridge Island, WA
Always wondered what the little threaded post that comes with the Powermatics is for, perhaps indexing? But then I see this photo from Craft Supplies website, making no sense, since the lathe is supposed to be spinning. Can someone 'splain, please?
CS Beall on PM.jpg
 
The post screw thing and those holes are for the indexer. The post screws in to engage with holes in the spindle. But it takes like 623 :) revolutions to screw it all the way in. So that one in the video (I didn’t watch) is only screwed in part way
There’s a chart in the manual that tells you the hole combos to get various angles/divisions.
 
It's all in the manual. I use the 3520b, but it the Jets, and other PM uses indexing internal indexing hole and threaded holes for the pin. From the "B" manual,



1749846309796.png

1749846464310.png
I just put mine in a drawer and never looked at it again.
The method works, but is terrible. A good indexing plate is far better.

I use this:

JKJ
 
Last edited:
It can be handy if you want to hold the piece on the lathe still at a spot other than where the spindle lock engages. I use it when cutting the curvy hole in yarn bowls to hold it still while I use the tail stock to hold on the routing template.
 
It's all in the manual. I use the 3520b, but it the Jets, and other PM uses indexing internal indexing hole and threaded holes for the pin. From the "B" manual,
.....
I just put mine in a drawer and never looked at it again.
The method works, but is terrible. A good indexing plate is far better.

I use this:

JKJ
The PM (B) and older Jet indexing does sort of work, but is indeed "terrible". I ended up doing very little indexing. The system on the Robust AB is great and use it frequently. I also have an Alisam indexing plate, since 5/10/15/20 divisions are not generally available in built-in indexing.
 
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